The Useless Prince Is A Gangster
Chapter 153. Mana crystal deposits

Chapter 153: 153. Mana crystal deposits

Under the gentle glow of mana-lamps, the Academy dorm room’s polished wood floor was covered in a golden sheen.

Leo’s boots were silent on the floor as he entered his room. It had been relaxing to eat dinner with Lucian, Velmera, and Mori at the canteen, but his mind was racing.

Liana emerged from the tiny kitchen alcove. She tilted her head, her brown eyes softened by worry, her braid swaying. "Young Master, you’ve came back at last! What kept you from returning from the morning? I was concerned."

Leo walked to his study desk, the chair scraping as he pulled it out. He sat down and leaned back, his eyes troubledly looking off into the distance while his crimson hair caught the light. "Rin found herself into trouble." He said in a low voice, his usual calmness mingled with frustration, "Picked a fight she couldn’t handle."

Liana gasped, her eyes wide, and her hand shot to her mouth. "A fight? Did she... win?"

Leo shook his head and clenched his jaw. "No. She got a horrible hit."

Liana’s voice was tremulous with anxiety as her breath caught. "Is Lady Rin okay?"

He ran a hand through his hair, breathing out hard, the tightness in his shoulders easing a bit. "She’s tough. She’s resting now, but it was close."

Liana nodded, her shoulders loosening, though her eyes still showed worry.

"Also I don’t need dinner, just bring me coffee," Leo said, his gaze drifting to his bed. Nimbus, his black-furred panther, lay sprawled across the blankets, snoring softly, his big paws twitching in a dream. A small smirk tugged at Leo’s lips—typical Nimbus, taking over the bed like a king.

Liana nodded and went to the kitchen.

Leo’s eyes landed on a small wooden box on the desk. It was why he’d been late returning to the Academy.

He opened it, revealing a palm-sized purple crystal, its sides sparkling like trapped stars. He picked it up, turning it in his fingers, and Elynn’s interface buzzed in his vision:

[Item Scanned!]

[Mana Crystal!]

[Purity Level Three.]

Leo’s smirk grew—a rare find. Erin’s coded note, Everyone thinks Gorge holds a little coal, had led him to the Cragsunder coal mines, everyone thought to be empty. Elynn’s scan found hidden mana crystal deposits, a secret worth a lot, and Leo was the only one who knew.

Liana came back, setting a steaming mug of coffee on the desk, its rich, nutty smell filling the air.

Her eyes fixed on the crystal in his hand, curiosity lighting her face. "Young Master, what’s that stone? You spent hours searching for it, didn’t you?"

Leo handed her the crystal, picking up his coffee. "It’s a mana crystal. Holds a strong mana source inside."

Liana held it carefully, turning it in the light, her eyes wide as it sparkled. "So it’s valuable, isn’t it?"

Leo took a slow sip. "One like that will cost twenty gold crowns on the market."

Liana froze, her grip tightening as if the crystal might break. "Twenty gold crowns?" she squeaked, holding it like a delicate egg, her eyes darting between the stone and Leo, who laughed at her panic.

The room grew quiet, the mana-lamps’ hum mixing with Nimbus’s soft snores.

Leo’s gaze softened, his voice low as he leaned back, the chair creaking. "Liana," he said, catching her attention. She looked up, still holding the crystal, her face curious. "What do you think of Rin? Really?"

Liana’s eyes widened, a spark of surprise on her face. Her heart skipped, a hopeful smile tugging at her lips as she wondered if her young master was finally noticing the maiden’s feelings.

*********

Next in the student council office, President Volkhardt Rathur sat behind his big desk, his eyes studying the two people in front of him like a hawk. Lucian Caulem and Erin Dranemount stood straight, their postures stiff, gold brooches shining in the gentle light.

Volkhardt leaned back, his voice smooth but curious. "So, you’ve both accepted the tournament slots?"

Lucian and Erin nodded together, their voices strong and sure. "I will," they said, their words echoes in the quiet room.

Volkhardt’s eyes stayed on Erin, his brow lifting a little. "Dranemount, you joined the council to steer clear of political fights. What changed your mind?"

Erin stepped forward, and slid an envelope across the desk, its paper marked with her neat handwriting—a letter for resignation from the student council. Liora, standing by Volkhardt, took it with a small nod.

Erin’s voice was steady, without her usual playfulness. "I planned to stay out of those battles, but I made a choice yesterday. I’m ready to fight."

Volkhardt’s lips curved into a small, approving smile, his fingers tapping the desk slowly. "Very well. I’m approving you both as special entries for the tournament. Good luck." His tone felt heavy, reminding them of the stakes.

***

Meanwhile, in Professor Gidon’s messy office, Leo sat across from Gidon, crimson eyes steady.

Gidon, the tough professor leaned back in his creaky chair, dark eyes narrowing as he looked at Leo, curious about this sudden visit. "What brings you here, Caulem? Need help with something?"

Leo’s eyes dropped to his hands, thinking for a moment. Then he looked up, meeting Gidon’s gaze. "I’m ready to take your offer, Professor. I want to be your disciple. Teach me aura."

Gidon’s hand stopped scratching his chin, his weathered face showing surprise, his eyes widening. He’d seen Leo’s talent months ago and offered to train him, but this sudden choice caught him off guard. He leaned forward, elbows on the desk, his voice careful but curious. "This about the tournament? You that eager to win?"

Leo nodded. "The tournament’s part of it, but I’m behind where I need to be."

Leo’s system gave him an advantage in many ways, but aura was the sign of real skill. It strengthened mana, making it sharper and stronger, learned through hard training.

Gidon’s lips spread into a wide grin, a big laugh shaking the cluttered shelves. "You’re serious, aren’t you? I told you my door’s always open, kid. Why the formalities now?"

Leo’s mouth twitched into a small smirk, his body relaxing a bit, though his eyes kept their fire. "Just making it official. I’m all in." He paused, then leaned forward, his tone serious, with new weight. "But I’ve got one request."

Gidon’s laughter stopped, his thick brows furrowing in curiosity. "A request? What’s that?"

Leo’s gaze locked onto Gidon’s, steady and strong, his voice calm but urgent. "I need Professor Isolde to train one student."

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